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Pope Francis’ U.S. Visit Schedule

UPDATED September 23, 2015

Pope Francis visits Washington, New York and Philadelphia this month during his first trip to the United States.

Sept. 26-27

Philadelphia

The papal visit to Philadelphia coincides with the World Meeting of Families, a triennial gathering of Catholic families started by Pope John Paul II in 1994. Francis will arrive at Atlantic Aviation on Sept. 26.

Sept. 26

1 10:30 a.m. Mass at the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul, where more than 1,000 people are expected. The pope will arrive in a motorcade.

2 4:45 p.m. Speech at Independence Hall. Francis will talk about immigration and religious freedom at the lectern used by Abraham Lincoln to give the Gettysburg Address.

3 7:30 p.m. Festival of Families along Benjamin Franklin Parkway, where a million people are expected to gather. The event is open to the public, but the area in the immediate vicinity of the pope will require tickets. There will be a papal parade leading up to the festival.

Sept. 27

4 9:15 a.m. Meeting with 300 to 350 bishops from around the world at St. Martin's Chapel, at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary.

5 11 a.m. Visit to Curran-Fromhold Correctional Facility, the largest prison operated by Philadelphia. He will meet with about 100 inmates and their families.

6 4 p.m. Mass to conclude the World Meeting of Families along Benjamin Franklin Parkway, the centerpiece event of his visit. It is expected to draw more than a million people. There will be a papal parade before the mass.

7 7 p.m. Meeting with organizers, volunteers and benefactors of the World Meeting of Families at Atlantic Aviation, before departing for Rome.

Already visited: Sept. 22-24

Washington

The pope arrived at Joint Base Andrews on Sept. 22 and went directly to the Apostolic Nunciature.

Sept. 23

19:15 a.m. Welcome ceremony on the White House South Lawn and meeting with President Obama.

2About 11 a.m. Popemobile parade around the Ellipse and a portion of the National Mall. Tickets are not required, but spectators will need to pass through security gates, which will open at 4 a.m. and close at 10 a.m.

311:30 a.m. Prayer with United States bishops at St. Matthew’s Cathedral, the mother church for the Archdiocese of Washington.

4 4:15 p.m. Mass at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception to canonize Rev. Junípero Serra as a saint. Pope Francis will arrive in a popemobile and will greet seminarians and novices entering religious orders. About 30,000 people will attend the Mass.

Sept. 24

59:20 a.m.Speech at a joint meeting of Congress, a first for a pope. Seats in the upper galleries of the House chamber are limited to lawmakers, dignitaries and their guests. The speech will also be broadcast on large screens on the West Front of the Capitol, but tickets are required. As he exits, the pope will make a brief appearance on the speaker’s balcony.

611:15 a.m. Visit to St. Patrick’s Church and Catholic Charities, of the Archdiocese of Washington. Francis will meet with the indigent, immigrant, developmentally disabled and homeless people served by Catholic Charities.

Sept. 24-25

New York City

On Sept. 24, the pope was greeted at Kennedy International Airport before he traveled by helicopter to the Downtown Manhattan Heliport.

Sept. 24

1 6:45 p.m. Evening prayer at St. Patrick’s Cathedral after a short procession down Fifth Avenue. About 500 people will wait for Francis on the steps, and another 2,500 will be inside, including priests and heads of Catholic organizations.

3 11:30 a.m. Multifaith service at the National September 11 Memorial and Museum at ground zero. The pope will arrive in a golf cart and meet with a small group of first responders, survivors and victims’ families on the plaza outside. Then he will go into the museum for a memorial service with representatives of various faith groups.